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Bafana Bafana, South AfricaBackpage
Kiplagat Sang

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs coach insists Bafana Bafana 'can be stronger if we export a few more' despite securing World Cup spot and AFCON bronze medal

In the final qualifier against Rwanda, Hugo Broos selected a starting XI made up of players from the local league, and they got the results needed. Although the locally based stars did the job, the former Amakhosi tactician suggests how the team can become even stronger.

  • Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    PSL stars praised

    Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt has lauded Bafana Bafana for qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with players from the Premier Soccer League.    

    The Durban City tactician, however, believes that South Africa can become a stronger team if more players sign for clubs abroad.

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  • Gavin Hunt, Durban CityBackpage

    'Unbelievable'

    “Unbelievable [11 PSL players in the line-up], but I mean we don’t have too many players outside of our borders, do we? I still think we can be stronger if we export a few more players and get others to play,” Hunt said.

    “Your Shandre Campbells - they will be the next batch – it certainly can improve our football and our spot in world football. I think it can get us more scouts [from abroad] back here, as they did in the 90s, looking for players.

    “It’s important that South Africa does well; you get judged as players by your national team, and coaches too - so if the national team doesn’t do well, your football [is perceived as] not good,” he added.

    “So, we need to be in these tournaments and qualify for the AFCON and the World Cup – it’s easier because of the numbers, so we should be in these tournaments regularly, and long may it continue.”  

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Lyle Foster and Marshall Munetsi, South Africa vs ZimbabweBackpage

    Bafana weather storm

    Despite major setbacks in the latter part of the qualification process, South Africa managed to book their place in the World Cup finals.

    Point deductions, suspensions, and injuries to key players were the major challenges that head coach Hugo Broos faced before playing Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

    Relebohile Mofokeng, Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are the vital players who were not available against Rwanda, but the rest did what was expected and qualified.  

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  • Lyle Foster of South Africa and William Troost-Ekong of NigeriaBackpagepix

    Composition of squad

    Given the intensity and competitive level of opponents in the World Cup finals, Broos is expected to select a squad that can challenge their rivals on the global stage.

    Burnley's Foster, Mohau Nkota of Al-Ettifaq, CD Tondela's Sphephelo Sithole, Samukelo Kabini of Molde FK, and Hannover 96's Ime Okon are foreign-based stars that are expected to be part of the Bafana World Cup squad.

    Although Broos' squad has always been dominated by PSL players, he is expected to call up these foreign-based stars for a stronger team.   

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